Lactic acid promotes an MDSC-like phenotype via HIF1α stabilization with impact on prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

cells. These findings were validated in patient-derived RCC cultures treated with anti-glycolytic drugs. Our data dissect the intratumoral network of RCC and show that tumor-derived lactate promotes a pro-tumorigenic myeloid phenotype with low MHC-II but high immune-checkpoint, LOX-1 and S100A8/9 expression. Blocking MCT disrupts this interplay, offering a promising strategy to re-educate tumor-associated myeloid cells and enhance tumor immune surveillance.